In recent years, there has been an increase in sickness and even death from food and water contaminated with disease organisms that can be laid at the door of food deregulation. A recent outbreak of Listeriosis in Canada, that has so far killed 20 people and sickened many more, has led to the promotion by some of food irradiation as a solution. Others are convinced that deregulation and reduction in food inspectors and placing the onus on the industries to protect the safety of our food is the cause of the problem. An increase in food borne illnesses in The USA and Mexico has also occurred following such a scenario.

The only reason that I can see that people swallow the idea that food irradiation is alright is because they are told by their government and others that it reduces the level of harmful disease-causing organisms in food. They are told that it is safe, that the food does not become radioactive. It is true that irradiation kills most disease organisms, but it does not kill them all. In order to do that, the irradiation would need to be so strong that the food would be made unpalatable. But what we are not commonly told is that the ionizing radiation used on the foods, whether animal or vegetable, also affects every cell in the food. It is well-known, for example, that it reduces the level of vitamins. In order to kill the disease organisms, it can also affect the texture and taste. Possibly the most important result of this practice is the formation, in the food, of toxic chemicals, called radiolytic products, that are known cancer-causing agents. There is nothing knew about this information. It has been known for a long time. However, newer research has found that a new type of chemicals called cyclobutanones is also produced during irradiation. It is found to cause genetic and cellular damage to rats as well as people. The U.S. FDA and Health Canada have both rejected this new science. This information was reported on CBC Marketplace by Dr. Samuel Epstein of the School of Public Health of the University of Chicago, author of the book “Cancergate”, a well-respected expert on the effects of radiation. Dr. Rosalie Bertell, internationally recognized expert on the health effects of ionizing radiation is in agreement with Dr. Epstein concerning the new revelations. Who knows what further investigations will show? It behooves our regulatory bodies to use the precautionary principle in relation to such findings. Damage to the DNA in particular are worrisome because generations to come can be damaged.

What is also new is the fact that efforts are being made to deceive the public by telling them that it is “pasteurization”, “cold pasteurization” or even more ingeniously, “electronic pasteurization”. The public have a right to know what is being done to their food. The FDA and Health Canada have a mandate to protect our health above all other considerations. Let us hold them to it!

Food irradiation is an expensive process much favoured by the nuclear industry. In actuality, a proper safe environment on our farms for fruit, vegetables and food animals, proper handling and slaughter, as well as proper inspection methods would produce wholesome food, while likely costing less than the inferior product we’re getting at present. Inspection should not be left in the hands of the industries, as their chief motivations may override health considerations. In recent years, the government in the U.S. and, lately in Canada, have been reducing food inspections and placing more responsibility on the industries involved. Governments are meant to protect the health of the people. Sanitation problems in the industry should not be used as an excuse, but as a wake-up call to governments to bring about proper conditions in agriculture and the food industry. In the U.S.,where irradiation of meats such as hamburger have been allowed for some time, there are reports of a concern that some producers have been irradiating contaminated or tainted meat. The World Health Organization (WHO) is now touting food irradiation as a means to alleviate food shortages. Those living in poverty in both poor and rich countries, the very people who need all the nutrition they can get, would be among the ones receiving this vitamin deficient food! In the U.S., irradiated hamburger is being used in some of the school food programs in poor neighbourhoods.

The Institute Of Concern for Public Health firmly believes that food irradiation is not the answer. Food safety mandated, regulated, and inspected by government from farm to table is the only solution to the protection of our food.